Anchored by goalkeeper Tim Howard and inspired by midfielder Michael Bradley, the U.S. national team twice recovered from one-goal deficits to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw with Russia on Wednesday in Krasnodar.

The result might not have been a fair one—Russia dominated the exhibition for significant stretches—but the U.S. made enough plays to secure the surprising tie. Bradley leveled the score in the 76th minute with a vicious right-footed volley from the top of the penalty area, staking his claim as the best American player on the planet with a vigorous, proactive 90-minute performance.

Russia recaptured the lead on a late penalty kick, but the visiting Americans clawed back in stoppage time thanks to an opportunistic finish from young midfielder Mikkel Diskerud, who was making his first senior national team appearance in nearly two years.

Russia had yielded only four goals in 12 matches this year and had shut out each of its first four opponents in World Cup qualifying. Well-disciplined, technically sound and lethal on the counterattack, the ninth-ranked hosts presented a litany of problems for U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann's makeshift squad.

The game at Kuban Stadium could not have started worse for the Americans. An awful turnover by midfielder Danny Williams led to a relatively easy ninth-minute goal by Anzhi Makhachkala forward Fyodor Smolov, who was making his international debut. Six minutes later, U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra left the field with an injured hamstring. He was replaced by Clarence Goodson, who would have a long night (along with fellow defenders Geoff Cameron, Fabian Johnson and Timmy Chandler) trying to keep the assertive Russians at bay.

Revolving around a three-man midfield comprising Bradley, Williams and Jermaine Jones, the U.S. failed to establish much rhythm or possession. But the work ethic was there, starting with Jozy Altidore and Herculez Gomez up front, and the visitors managed to test the Russian defense on a couple of occasions with runs from winger Josh Gatt, the 21-year-old Molde FK player making his first appearance with the senior U.S. side.

Howard was outstanding in the second half, diving to his right to parry a 49th-minute blast from Alexander Kokorin and stoning Renat Yanbaev from point-blank range in the 66th. In the 73rd, U.S. substitute Sacha Kljestan knocked a long pass from Jones over to Bradley, who sent his effort over the crossbar. But that miss was a sign of good things to come.

In the 76th, Bradley scored his 11th international goal with a blast that should become a YouTube staple. Two reserves set up the play, as Maurice Edu fired the ball up to forward Juan Agudelo to head back into Bradley's path. The AS Roma midfielder didn't hesitate, hammering a spectacular volley that skimmed off the inside of the left post and past the helpless goalkeeper.

Russia was back in front eight minutes later, however, after a quick free kick left Goodson chasing Artyom Dzyuba. Howard probably had the play covered, but Goodson's nudge from behind was spotted by the referee. Zenit St. Petersburg star Roman Shirokov converted the penalty kick.

A 2-1 loss would have been a fair result, but the U.S. didn't relent. Following another brilliant save by Howard in the 89th, the Americans drew level on a goal somewhat similar to the first.

Bradley was the provider this time, sending a long pass from the left that was knocked down by substitute forward Terrence Boyd. Diskerud—Boyd's teammate with the U.S. Under-23 team that failed to qualify for the Olympics—hit the ball off the bounce and watched it carom into the net. Diskerud, who plays for Norway's Rosenborg, hadn't played for the senior U.S. side since January 2011.

There will be concerns coming out of the game, for certain. Russia is a very good team, but the U.S. back four struggled and the questions about whether Bradley, Williams and Jones can play together will persist. But the spirit with which the U.S. approached the game will please Klinsmann, and several young players showed promise. And in Howard and Bradley, the U.S.—which played without Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey on Wednesday—has two world-class talents.

The Americans finished 2012 at 9-2-3. Their next scheduled match is a Feb. 6 qualifier in Honduras.